A&N Tribal Welfare Dept accepts Nicobarese call to return to ancestral land, yet key concerns remain
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Sri Vijaya Puram: For the first time in two decades, the Andaman and Nicobar administration’s Tribal Welfare Department has formally acknowledged the Nicobarese community’s long-standing demand to return to their ancestral lands on Great Nicobar Island. The recognition appears in the minutes of a Tribal Welfare Committee meeting held last month, as part of the environmental clearance process for the island’s multi-component mega-project.
According to a report published by Frontline, three committees are currently reviewing the project: one focused on pollution, another on biodiversity, and a third on issues affecting the Shompen and Nicobarese communities. According to the minutes, the tribal welfare department has agreed to consider “specific demands, including the request for return to ancestral land”.
The Nicobarese were moved out of their forested tribal reserve areas after the 2004 tsunami and resettled in a tribal colony within the revenue area of Great Nicobar. Their earlier settlements had basic infrastructure such as roads, schools and a public health centre facilities. But now, they say these facilities remain largely inadequate in their new location. Despite consistent written and oral appeals since 2004, the administration did not act on their request to return and the latest acknowledgement comes only now, in the shadow of a large-scale development project that would significantly alter the island’s landscape.
Experts and community observers say the development is welcome but overdue. Social ecologist Manish Chandi, who earlier served on the administration’s Tribal Welfare Advisory Board, noted that the Nicobarese demand must be fulfilled, not merely considered. “The land belongs to the Nicobarese. It should be granted to them,” he said, cautioning that past assurances, such as delayed basic amenities in New Chingen, have not always translated into action.
However, the same committee minutes also highlight clear approvals for aspects of the mega-project that could further restrict tribal access to traditional lands. These include proposals for “geo-fencing cum surveillance towers” in Shompen areas and plans to redraw tribal reserve boundaries. Notably, the tribal welfare committee does not include a single member from either the Shompen or Nicobarese communities, and has not held any meetings with them.
Transparency issues have also surfaced. The minutes were uploaded only after an RTI appeal compelled the administration to release them. The initial denial cited Section 8(1) (a) of the RTI Act, despite environmental clearance conditions requiring the minutes to be published.
Separately, the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for the road component of the mega-project, finalised in August by Atlas Management Consultancy Services Private Limited, has drawn criticism for omitting concerns expressed by the Nicobarese during the public hearing. While comments from settler communities were included, the SIA claims tribal groups “were not averse to any development work”. This contradicts multiple written submissions made by the Nicobarese tribal council and earlier objections from sections of the Shompen community, who have asked that development be kept away from their forests and hills.
When contacted by the Rishika Pardikar, an environment reporter based in Bengaluru, the consultant who prepared the SIA denied that the Nicobarese had raised objections at the public hearing, showing assertion that conflicts with the written and oral testimonies recorded at the time. The social welfare department overseeing the SIA process has not responded to queries.
In another instance of sidelined tribal concerns, the recently released draft coastal management plans list three wildlife sanctuaries, ignoring objections from the Nicobarese that such protected areas restrict their access to land and resources.
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MP: Protest over Dhoudan dam continues for eighth day, work stalled
Chhatarpur (MP) (PTI): Tribals displaced due to the proposed Dhoudan dam under the ambitious Ken-Betwa river-linking project in Madhya Pradesh continued their protest for the eighth consecutive day on Sunday, halting work at the site.
Villagers affected by the project in Panna district, including Majhgawan and Runj, remained stationed at the construction site pressing for their demands.
Protesters have been demanding a compensation package of Rs 12.5 lakh for displaced families, similar to what they claim has been sought for those affected by other dams in the region.
Panna Additional Collector Alok Marko and SDM Satish Nagvanshi reached the protest site during the day and held detailed discussions with the agitators.
The officials said that the compensation had been disbursed in accordance with government guidelines and the land acquisition law.
"In the Runj project, 99 per cent payment has been completed, while more than 90 per cent compensation has been paid in villages affected by the Ken-Betwa project, including Kateri, Baleta, Gadra and Koni. If any name has been left out, we are ready to conduct a fresh survey based on documents," Nagvanshi said.
The administration had taken along a representative of the displaced persons to provide photocopies of records, he said.
Protesters are demanding that the earlier compensation package of Rs 5 lakh for Majhgawan and Vishramganj dams be increased to Rs 12.5 lakh, at par with that of the Dhodan dam displaced persons. The administration, however, has termed the demand "policy-wise impossible", as the relevant awards had been passed years ago.
Social activist Amit Bhatnagar, who is leading the agitation, rejected the administration's claims, alleging that only 60 per cent of the affected people have received compensation and there are major discrepancies.
"If gram sabhas and procedures have been conducted constitutionally, we will end the protest, but we will not part with even an inch of land through unconstitutional means," he said.
As the protest site falls within the core area of the Panna Tiger Reserve, the administration has tightened security arrangements.
Collector Parth Jaiswal appealed to the protesters to maintain law and order in the restricted zone of the tiger reserve and resolve the issue through dialogue.
He added that a survey is underway, and no eligible person will be deprived of compensation.
A team of doctors arrived at the site to examine the protesters, who were camping there with essential supplies, but returned without conducting check-ups.
